Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Toxoplasmosis and Mood Swings (part 2 of 2)

Toxoplasmosis can cause stillbirths and miscarriages. If not that, then babies infected with or affected by the disease may be born suffering from a severe eye infection, jaundice, an enlarged liver and spleen, or seizures.

There may also be instances when symptoms of toxoplasmosis will only manifest in the child’s teenage years. Symptoms not only include mood swings but possible blindness, mental retardation, and hearing loss as well.

How You Get Infected with Toxoplasmosis
Prevention is still the best cure for any disease. To avoid mood swings caused by toxoplasmosis, you need to know how to avoid getting infected in the first place.

Infected Cat Feces
Cat lovers are the ones facing the greatest risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. The parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis is most often found in cat feces, especially when your pet has just returned from hunting or is being fed with raw meat. Coming into contact with it while you’re cleaning your pet’s litter box or gardening immediately puts you at risk.

Contaminated Water or Food
T. gondii can also be found in contaminated food and water, especially unpasteurized goat’s milk or meats like pork, lamb, and venison. Eating any of these infected substances or food also puts you at risk.

Contact with contaminated objects and other foods are also another way for you to get infected with toxoplasmosis.

Unsafe Organ Transplants
Last but not the least, make sure that any blood or organ transplant you receive is completely safe and clean.

Keep all these tips in mind and you’ll be free from mood swings caused by toxoplasmosis!